Data processing apparatus and data processing method

ABSTRACT

The present technology relates to a data processing apparatus and a data processing method that enable correct clock synchronization by use of clock information. The data processing apparatus receives a digital broadcast signal so as to process content included in the digital broadcast signal and clock information also included therein for use in presentation synchronization on the content and sends via a transmission path the processed content and clock information to another data processing apparatus that presents the received content. On the other hand, the another data processing apparatus receives via the transmission path the content and clock information sent from the data processing apparatus so as to process presentation synchronization on the received content on the basis of the received clock information. The present technology is applicable to data processing apparatuses configured to process content, for example.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of and claims the benefit ofpriority to U.S. Ser. No. 15/740,544, filed Dec. 28, 2017, the entirecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Ser. No.15/740,544 is a National Stage Application of PCT/JP2016/077396, filedSep. 16, 2016, and also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to JapaneseApplication No. 2015-194552, filed Sep. 30, 2015. The presentapplication claims the benefit of priority to each of the foregoing.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates to a data processing apparatus and a dataprocessing method and, more particularly, to a data processing apparatusand a data processing method that enable correct clock synchronizationby use of clock information.

BACKGROUND ART

For example, it has been determined that ATSC (Advanced TelevisionSystems Committee) 3.0, one of the next-generation terrestrialbroadcasting standards, employs a data transmission scheme mainly usingnot TS (Transport Stream) packets but UDP/IP, namely, IP (InternetProtocol) packets including UDP (User Datagram Protocol) packets(hereafter referred to as the IP transmission scheme). In addition, itis expected that broadcasting schemes other than the ATSC3.0 will alsoemploy the IP transmission scheme in the future.

It should be noted that, in TS broadcasting, PCR (Program ClockReference) is transmitted as clock information required for providingsynchronization between the sending side and the receiving side (referto NPL 1 below).

CITATION LIST Non Patent Literature

[NPL 1]

ARIB STD-B44, Association of Radio Industries and Businesses

SUMMARY Technical Problem

Meanwhile, in the IP transmission scheme, a method of processing theclock information for providing synchronization between the sending sideand the receiving side has not been established, so that, in theredelivery of content, for example, proposals for enabling correct clocksynchronization by use of clock information has been asked.

The present technology has been made in view of the above-describedcircumstances, and it is intended to provide correct clocksynchronization by use of clock information.

Solution to Problem

According to a first aspect of the present technology, there is provideda data processing apparatus. This data processing apparatus has areceiving block configured to receive a digital broadcast signal; aprocessing block configured to process content included in the digitalbroadcast signal and clock information included therein for use inpresentation synchronization on the content; and a sending blockconfigured to send the clock information along with the content toanother data processing apparatus that presents the content via atransmission path.

The data processing apparatus of the first aspect of the presenttechnology may be an independent apparatus or an internal block makingup an apparatus. A data processing method of the first aspect of thepresent technology is a data processing method corresponding to the dataprocessing apparatus of the first aspect of the present technologydescribed above.

In the data processing apparatus and the data processing methodaccording to the first aspect of the present technology, a digitalbroadcast signal is received; content included in the digital broadcastsignal and clock information included therein for use in presentationsynchronization on the content are processed; and the clock informationis sent along with the content to another data processing apparatus thatpresents the content via a transmission path.

According to a second aspect of the present technology, there isprovided a data processing apparatus. This data processing apparatus hasa receiving block configured to receive content sent from another dataprocessing apparatus capable of receiving a digital broadcast signal,the content being included in the digital broadcast signal, and clockinformation included therein for use in presentation synchronization onthe content via a transmission path; and a processing block configuredto process presentation synchronization on the content on the basis ofthe clock information.

The data processing apparatus of the second aspect of the presenttechnology may be an independent apparatus or an internal block makingup an apparatus. A data processing method of the second aspect of thepresent technology is a data processing method corresponding to the dataprocessing apparatus of the second aspect of the present technologydescribed above.

In the data processing apparatus and the data processing methodaccording to the second aspect of the present technology, content sentfrom another data processing apparatus capable of receiving a digitalbroadcast signal, the content being included in the digital broadcastsignal, and clock information included therein for use in presentationsynchronization on the content are received via a transmission path; andpresentation synchronization on the content is processed on the basis ofthe clock information.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the first aspect and the second aspect of the presenttechnology, correct clock synchronization can be provided by use ofclock information.

It should be noted that the effects described above are not necessarilyrestricted thereto; for example, any one of the effects described in thepresent disclosure may be interpreted as an advantageous effect of thepresent technology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of one embodiment of atransmission system to which the present technology is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of asending system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of areceiving system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram describing clock information processing to beexecuted in the sending system.

FIG. 5 is a diagram describing clock information processing to beexecuted in the receiving system.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a syntax of clockinformation.

FIG. 7 is a diagram describing an example of conversion from PTP to UTC.

FIG. 8 is a diagram describing a correction method of clock informationby a PTP protocol.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of fields included in aGeneral header of a PTP message.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of messageType included inthe General header.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of format of a Syncmessage.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a format of a Delay_Reqmessage.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a format of a Follow-upmessage.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a format of a Delay_Respmessage.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart describing a flow of sending-side processing.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart describing a flow of receiving-side processing.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating examples of configurations of a masterapparatus and a slave apparatus in the receiving system.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of acomputer.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following describes embodiments of the present technology withreference to the drawings. It should be noted that the description willbe done in the following sequence.

1. System Configuration

2. Clock Synchronization Method Using Clock Information Based on PresentTechnology

3. Flow of Processing Executed on Sending Side and Receiving Side

4. Variations

5. Configuration of Computer

<1. System Configuration>

(Configuration Example of Transmission System)

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of one embodiment of atransmission system to which the present technology is applied. Itshould be noted that term “system” denotes a logical aggregation of twoor more apparatuses.

As depicted in FIG. 1, a transmission system 1 has a sending system 10and a receiving system 20. In this transmission system 1, datatransmission based on a digital broadcasting standard using an IPtransmission scheme such as ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee)3.0 is executed.

The sending system 10 sends a broadcast stream including content such asa television program and so on via a transmission path 30 as a digitalbroadcast signal.

The receiving system 20 receives a digital broadcast signal sent fromthe sending system 10 via the transmission path 30, processes thecontent included in the received broadcast stream, and outputs theprocessed content.

For example, the receiving system 20 includes two or more apparatuses (afirst apparatus and a second apparatus, for example), in which the firstapparatus (a master apparatus 211 depicted in FIG. 3 to be describedlater) receives a digital broadcast signal from the sending system 10and processes the content included in the received broadcast stream.

Further, the first apparatus sends the content obtained from thebroadcast stream to the second apparatus via a network (a transmissionpath). Then, the second apparatus (a slave apparatus 212 depicted inFIG. 3 to be described later) receives the content such as a televisionprogram or the like sent from the first apparatus via the network (thetransmission path) and processes (reproduces) the received content.

It should be noted that, in the transmission system 1 depicted in FIG.1, only one receiving system 20 is illustrated for the convenience ofdescription; however, two or more receiving systems 20 may be arrangedsuch that a digital broadcast signal sent by the sending system 10 canbe received by the two or more receiving systems 20 via the transmissionpath 30 at the same time.

In addition, two or more sending systems 10 may be arranged. Each of thetwo or more sending systems 10 can send a digital broadcast signalincluding a broadcast stream in a separate channel, a separate frequencyband, for example, and the receiving system 20 can select a channel forreceiving the broadcast stream from among the channels of the two ormore sending systems 10.

Further, in the transmission system 1 depicted in FIG. 1, thetransmission path 30 may be not only a terrestrial broadcasting but alsoa satellite broadcasting using broadcasting satellite (BS) or acommunications satellite (CS) or a cable broadcasting (CATV) usingcables.

(Configurational Example of Sending System)

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of thesending system 10.

As depicted in FIG. 2, the sending system 10 has a component processingblock 111, a signaling processing block 112, a clock informationprocessing block 113, a packet processing block 114, a modulationprocessing block 115, and an RF block 116.

The component processing block 111 obtains the content that is enteredtherein. Here, the content includes live content (for example, a livebroadcast program such as sport live coverage) that is sent from a siteof live coverage via a transmission path or a communication line andrecorded content (for example, a pre-recorded program such as a drama)accumulated in a storage.

The component processing block 111 processes (encodes, for example) thedata of video and audio components that make up content and supplies theprocessed data to the packet processing block 114.

The signaling processing block 112 generates signaling and processes thegenerated signaling, supplying the processed signaling to the packetprocessing block 114. Here, for example, ATSC3.0 assumes that LLS (LinkLayer Signaling) and SLS (Service Layer Signaling) be specified assignaling, so that, in accordance with the information described in theLLS signaling obtained in precedence, the SLS signaling for each serviceis obtained.

Here, for the LLS signaling, metadata such as SLT (Service List Table)and the like are included. SLT includes information indicative ofconfigurations of a stream and a service in a broadcasting network, suchas information (selection information) necessary for the selection of aservice.

Further, for the SLS signaling, metadata such as USD (User ServiceDescription), LSID (LCT Session Instance Description), and MPD (MediaPresentation Description) are included. USD includes information such asan acquisition source of other metadata. LSID is control information ofROUTE (Real-Time Object Delivery over Unidirectional Transport)protocol. MPD is control information for managing the reproduction ofcomponent streams. It should be noted that MPD is based on MPEG-DASH(Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) standard.

The clock information processing block 113 processes (generates) clockinformation and supplies the processed clock information to thesignaling processing block 112. Here, for clock information, the clockinformation specified by PTP (Precision Time Protocol), the clockinformation specified by NTP (Network Time Protocol) and the like may beused. In what follows, cases in which the clock information specified byPTP is used for clock information will mainly be described. It should benoted that details of the clock information processing block 113 will bedescribed later with reference to FIG. 4.

Further, the signaling processing block 112 generates the signaling ofthe physical layer (hereafter referred to as L1 signaling) and processesthe generated signaling. Here, the signaling processing block 112 caninclude the clock information (PTP, for example) supplied from the clockinformation processing block 113 into the L1 signaling as a clockinformation descriptor. The signaling processing block 112 supplies theL1 signaling to the packet processing block 114.

The packet processing block 114 executes the processing of generatingpackets by use of the data of video and audio components supplied fromthe component processing block 111 and the data of the signalingsupplied from the signaling processing block 112.

Here, an IP packet including a UDP packet (an IP/UDP packet) isgenerated and an ALP (ATSC Link-layer Protocol) packet is generated byencapsulating one or more IP/UDP packets. The packets processed by thepacket processing block 114 are supplied to the modulation processingblock 115.

The modulation processing block 115 generates a physical layer frame andprocesses the generated physical layer frame by processing the packetssupplied from the packet processing block 114. Here, a physical layerframe includes a bootstrap (BS), a preamble, and a payload. For example,the L1 signaling including clock information (a clock informationdescriptor) can be included in the preamble.

It should be noted that the modulation processing block 115 alsoexecutes error correction encoding processing (BCH encoding, LDPC (LowDensity Parity Check) encoding and so on, for example) and modulationprocessing (OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) modulationand so on, for example), for example. The signal processed by themodulation processing block 115 is supplied to the RF block 116.

The RF block 116 converts the signal supplied from the modulationprocessing block 115 into an RF (Radio Frequency) signal and sends theRF signal via an antenna 121 as a digital broadcast signal based on theIP transmission scheme.

The sending system 10 is configured as described above. It should benoted that, in FIG. 2, the sending system 10 of the sending sideincludes only one apparatus for the convenience of description; however,the sending system 10 of the sending side may include two or moreapparatuses each having the functions of the blocks depicted in FIG. 2.

(Configurational Example of Receiving System)

FIG. 3 depicts an example of a configuration of the receiving system 20depicted in FIG. 1.

As depicted in FIG. 3, the receiving system 20 has a master apparatus211 and a slave apparatus 212. Between the master apparatus 211 and theslave apparatus 212, data is transmitted via a network 213.

The master apparatus 211 receives a digital broadcast signal sent fromthe sending system 10 via the transmission path 30 and processes thecontent included in a broadcast stream. The master apparatus 211 sendsthe content obtained from the broadcast stream to the slave apparatus212 via the network 213. On the other hand, the slave apparatus 212receives the content sent from the master apparatus 211 via the network213 and processes (reproduces) the received content.

Here, as the receiving system 20, a CATV redelivery system, an Internetdelivery system, a home network system, and the like may be employed,for example.

For example, if a CATV redelivery system is employed as the receivingsystem 20, a CATV apparatus (a content redelivery apparatus) as themaster apparatus 211 and a television receiver as the slave apparatus212 execute data transmission via a CATV network as the network 213.

Further, for example, if an Internet delivery system is employed as thereceiving system 20, a delivery server (a content redelivery apparatus)as the master apparatus 211 and an information device (a smartphone or atablet terminal apparatus, for example) as the slave apparatus 212execute data transmission via the Internet as the network 213.

Further, for example, if a home network system is employed as thereceiving system 20, a home server or a television receiver as themaster apparatus 211 and an information device (a smartphone or a tabletterminal apparatus, for example) as the slave apparatus 212 execute datatransmission via a home network such as wireless LAN (Local AreaNetwork) as the network 213.

It should be noted that a CATV redelivery system and an Internetdelivery system listed above are merely one example of the receivingsystem 20; namely, other configurations in which data transmission isexecuted in a same device may be employed, for example. It should alsobe noted that details of these other configurations will be describedlater with reference to FIG. 17.

In addition, in the receiving system 20, the clock information (PTP, forexample) of the master apparatus 211 (a clock information master block224 thereof) is matched with the clock information (PTP, for example) ofthe slave apparatus 212 (a clock information slave block 232 thereof) byuse of the clock information (PTP, for example) included in a digitalbroadcast signal sent from the sending system 10. Consequently, in theslave apparatus 212, in the reproduction of content, presentationsynchronization can be realized, thereby properly executing presentationwithout involving failed buffering by taking video and audiosynchronization, for example.

Here, presentation synchronization denotes the matching between theclock information of the master apparatus 211 (the clock informationmaster block 224 thereof) and the clock information of the slaveapparatus 212 (the clock information slave block 232 thereof). If thispresentation synchronization is not realized, it is impracticable toimplement proper presentation without involving failed buffering byproviding synchronization on video and audio in the reproduction ofcontent on the side of the slave apparatus 212.

Further, in order to match the clock information of the master apparatus211 (the clock information master block 224 thereof) with the clockinformation of the slave apparatus 212 (the clock information slaveblock 232 thereof), a transmission delay (a communication delay time)from the master apparatus 211 to the slave apparatus 212 has to beconsidered, details thereof being described later with reference to FIG.8 through FIG. 14.

In FIG. 3, the master apparatus 211 has an RF block 221, a demodulationprocessing block 222, a packet processing block 223, the clockinformation master block 224, and a network I/F 225.

The RF block 221 receives a digital broadcast signal of IP transmissionscheme via an antenna 241 and frequency-converts an RF signal into an IF(Intermediate Frequency) signal, supplying the IF signal to thedemodulation processing block 222.

The demodulation processing block 222 processes a physical layer frameby processing the signal supplied from the RF block 221 so as to extractpackets. Here, the physical layer frame includes a bootstrap (BS), apreamble, and a payload. For example, the preamble includes L1 signalingincluding clock information (a clock information descriptor).

It should be noted that the demodulation processing block 222 alsoexecutes demodulation processing (OFDM demodulation and so on, forexample) and error correction decoding processing (LDPC decoding and BCHdecoding, for example). The signal processed by the demodulationprocessing block 222 is supplied to the packet processing block 223.

The packet processing block 223 processes the packets supplied from thedemodulation processing block 222. Here, ALP packet processing isexecuted and then the IP/UDP packets extracted from this ALP packet areprocessed, for example. Consequently, an IP/UDP packet (an IP packet)including the data such as video and audio component and signaling isobtained, for example. This IP/UDP packet is supplied to the network I/F225.

In addition, if an L1 signaling including clock information is extracted(obtained) in the processing of the physical layer frame by thedemodulation processing block 222, the packet processing block 223supplies the clock information to the clock information master block224.

The clock information master block 224 processes the clock informationsupplied from the packet processing block 223 and supplies the processedclock information to the network I/F 225. Here, as the clockinformation, the information of a clock time specified by PTP or thelike is used, for example. It should be noted that details of the clockinformation master block 224 will be described later with reference toFIG. 5 and FIG. 8 through FIG. 14.

To the network I/F 225, the IP/UDP packet (the IP packet) from thepacket processing block 223 and the clock information from the clockinformation master block 224 are supplied. The network I/F 225 sends thedata such as the IP/UDP packet and the clock information to the slaveapparatus 212 via the network 213 as a transmission path.

The master apparatus 211 is configured as described above.

On the other hand, in FIG. 3, the slave apparatus 212 has a network I/F231, the clock information slave block 232, a decode processing block233, and an output block 234.

The network I/F 231 receives the data sent from the master apparatus 211via the network 213 that is a transmission path. The network I/F 231processes the IP/UDP packet (the IP packet) including the data such asvideo and audio component and signaling included in the received dataand supplies the processed data to the decode processing block 233.Further, the network I/F 231 supplies the clock information included inthe received data to the clock information slave block 232.

The clock information slave block 232 processes the clock informationsupplied from the network I/F 231 to execute presentationsynchronization processing, thereby properly executing presentationwithout involving failed buffering by providing video and audio (thecomponent data thereof) synchronization by the decode processingexecuted in the decode processing block 233. In this presentationsynchronization processing, the clock information (PTP, for example) ofthe master apparatus 211 (the clock information master block 224thereof) is matched with the clock information (PTP, for example) of theslave apparatus 212 (the clock information slave block 232 thereof) byuse of the clock information (PTP, for example) included in the digitalbroadcast signal sent from the sending system 10.

It should be noted that, here, a transmission delay (a communicationdelay time) from the master apparatus 211 to the slave apparatus 212 isconsidered, details thereof being described later with reference to FIG.8 through FIG. 14. Thus, in the receiving system 20, although the clockinformation transmitted by broadcasting from the sending system 10 issynchronized with a physical layer frame, thereby enabling the correcttransmission of the clock information, transmitting this clockinformation from the master apparatus 211 to the slave apparatus 212 byuse of a protocol for transmitting the clock information of PTP or thelike assures the correct presentation synchronization processing on theslave apparatus 212. Consequently, also in the case where contentredelivery is executed from the master apparatus 211 to the slaveapparatus 212 via the network 213, for example, correct clocksynchronization can be realized on the slave apparatus 212 by use ofclock information.

In accordance with the presentation synchronization processing executedby the clock information slave block 232, the decode processing block233 decodes the video and audio component data supplied from the networkI/F 231 and supplies the decoded data to the output block 234.

To the output block 234, the video and audio component data is suppliedfrom the decode processing block 233. The output block 234 displays avideo image corresponding to the video component data onto a displayblock (not depicted) and outputs an audio corresponding to the audiocomponent data from a speaker (not depicted). Consequently, the slaveapparatus 212 receives the content sent from the sending system 10 viathe transmission path 30 that is the content delivered (redelivered)from the master apparatus 211 via the network 213 and reproduces thereceived content.

The slave apparatus 212 is configured as described above.

<2. Clock Synchronization Method Using Clock Information Based onPresent Technology>

(Overview of PTP Protocol)

Meanwhile, as clock information, the information of a clock timespecified by PTP (Precision Time Protocol) can be employed as describedabove. PTP is specified by IEEE1588 and includes 80 bits.

The 80-bit PTP has a second field (secondsField) of 48 bits indicativeof a clock time in unit of second and a nanosecond field(nanosecondsField) of 32 bits indicative of a clock time in unit ofnanosecond.

In the second field, “1” is indicative of one second; in the nanosecondfield, “1” is indicative of one nanosecond. Therefore, PTP indicative of+2.000000001 seconds includes 0x000000000002 in the second field and0x00000001 in the nanosecond field, for example. It should be noted that“0x” denotes that the subsequent value is hexadecimal.

Here, since 10⁹ nanoseconds is one second, the nanosecond field takes avalue of 0 to less than 10⁹. That is, the maximum value of thenanosecond field is 10⁹−1. Since 10⁹−1 can be expressed by 30 bits, thehigh-order 2 bits of the 32-bit nanosecond field is always 0.

The IEEE1588 specifies that an epoch which is the origin of a clock timeindicated by PTP is 0:00, Jan. 1, 1970 of the international atomic time(TAI). That is, the PTP of the IEEE1588 is indicative of a clock timewith 0:00, Jan. 1, 1970 of TAI being an epoch.

Also, if the information of the clock time specified by PTP is employedas the clock information to be included in a physical layer frame, theinformation of the clock time specified by PTP has enough granularityfor the clock information to be included in the physical layer frame andtherefore can represent a correct clock time.

From the viewpoint of reproducing a correct clock time by the receivingsystem 20, the clock information is desired to represent a more correctclock time; if the information of a clock time specified by PTP isemployed as the clock information to be included in a physical layerframe, correct clock information can be transmitted so as to reproducethe correct clock time by the receiving system 20. Further, theinformation of a clock time specified by PTP does not cause a problem ofleap seconds.

Meanwhile, according to PTP, extremely correct clock times can beexpressed; however, the transmission of clock information having anaccuracy more than necessary on the broadcasting by the transmissionsystem 1 depicted in FIG. 1 strains the transmission band, therebyrestricting the transmission efficiency. PTP of 80 bits is the clockinformation of more than necessary in accuracy for the provision ofservices by broadcasting, so that, even if the amount of information ofPTP is reduced to a certain extent, the provision of services bybroadcasting can be maintained sufficiently.

Therefore, with the transmission system 1 depicted in FIG. 1, the PTP asclock information can be transmitted by lowering the amount thereof. Thelowering of the amount of PTP information can be realized by a method ofcompressing the PTP, for example. The following describes the processing(clock information processing) associated with the clock information(PTP) executed between the sending system 10 on the sending side and thereceiving system 20 on the receiving side in the case where the PTP (thecompressed PTP) as clock information is transmitted as being included inthe preamble of a physical layer frame.

(Clock Information Processing on Sending Side)

FIG. 4 is a diagram describing the clock information processing to beexecuted in the sending system 10 on the sending side.

In FIG. 4, an example is depicted in which, as the clock informationprocessing in the sending system 10 (FIG. 1) on the sending side, incompressing the PTP as clock information, the second field is compressedto 32 bits and the nanosecond field is compressed to 19 bits. Thiscompressed PLP is included in the preamble of a physical layer frame asclock information (a clock information descriptor).

In the sending system 10, an 80-bit PTP including a 48-bit second fieldand a 32-bit nanosecond field is supplied to the clock informationprocessing block 113 (FIG. 2). The clock information processing block113 deletes the high-order 16 bits, for example, of the 48-bit secondfield so as to compress the 48-bit second field to a 32-bit second field(hereafter also referred to as a compressed second field).

Further, the clock information processing block 113 deletes thelow-order 13 bits, for example, of the 32-bit nanosecond field so as tocompress the 32-bit nanosecond field to a 19-bit nanosecond field(hereafter also referred to as a compressed nanosecond field).

Then, the clock information processing block 113 includes a 51-bit PTP(hereafter also referred to as a compressed PTP) compressed to the32-bit compressed second field and the 19-bit compressed nanosecondfield into a clock information descriptor so as to supply the PTP to thesignaling processing block 112 (FIG. 2).

As described above, in the PTP compressing method, partial bits of thesecond field and the nanosecond field of a PTP are deleted so as totransmit the PTP as compressed to a compressed PTP (compressed clockinformation) of an intermediate format, so to speak.

Further, in the sending system 10, in the processing of a physical layerframe, the modulation processing block 115 (FIG. 2) can include thecompressed PTP processed by the clock information processing block 113into the preamble as clock information. However, clock information(compressed PTP) can be included in L1 signaling as a clock informationdescriptor so as to be arranged in the preamble.

It should be noted that clock information (compressed PTP) may beincluded in the payload of a physical layer frame rather than thepreamble. Further, clock information (compressed PTP) may not beincluded in all physical layer frames, thereby lowering the frequency oftransmitting clock information (compressed PTP).

(Clock Information Processing on Receiving Side)

FIG. 5 is a diagram describing the clock information processing to beexecuted in the receiving system 20 on the receiving side.

In FIG. 5, an example is depicted in which, as the clock informationprocessing in the receiving system 20 (FIG. 1) on the receiving side, acompressed PTP included in the preamble of a physical layer frame isobtained and this compressed PTP is restored to PTP of a formatspecified in the IEEE1588.

In the receiving system 20, in processing a physical layer frame, ifclock information (compressed PTP) is included in the preamble of thisphysical layer frame, the demodulation processing block 222 (FIG. 3) canobtain the clock information (the compressed PTP). However, the clockinformation (the compressed PTP) is included in L1 signaling as a clockinformation descriptor.

Then, in the receiving system 20, the clock information master block 224(FIG. 3) obtains the compressed PTP included in the clock informationdescriptor and restores the obtained compressed PTP to the PTP of aformat specified in the IEEE1588.

That is, the clock information master block 224 restores a 32-bitcompressed second field to a 48-bit second field by attaching (adding)16-bit “0s” as the high-order bits of the 32-bit compressed second fieldof the compressed PTP.

Further, the clock information master block 224 restores a 19-bitcompressed nanosecond field to a 32-bit nanosecond field by attaching13-bit “0s” as the low-order bits of the 19-bit compressed nanosecondfield of the compressed PTP.

Next, the clock information master block 224 restores the PTP of aformat specified in the IEEE1588 that includes a 48-bit second field anda 32-bit nanosecond field.

It should be noted that, in the clock information processing block 113(FIG. 4) of the sending system 10, the low-order 13 bits of the 32-bitnanosecond field are deleted and, as described above, the high-order 2bits that are always “0s” are deleted, thereby enabling to compress the32-bit nanosecond field to a 17-bit compressed nanosecond field.

In this case, in the clock information master block 224 (FIG. 5) of thereceiving system 20, 13-bit “0s” are attached as the low-order bits ofthe 17-bit compressed nanosecond field and 2-bit “0s” are attached asthe high-order bits, thereby restoring the 17-bit compressed nanosecondfield to the 32-bit nanosecond field.

If not a standard epoch but a unique epoch is employed for the PTPepoch, the clock information processing block 113 (FIG. 4) of thesending system 10 subtracts a time (hereafter referred to as adifference time) corresponding to a difference between a standard epochand a unique epoch (unique epoch-standard epoch) from the PTP and thencompresses the PTP after subtraction to a compressed PTP.

In this case, the clock information master block 224 (FIG. 5) of thereceiving system 20 restores the compressed second field and thecompressed nanosecond field to a second field and a nanosecond field andthen adds the different time to the restored second field and therestored nanosecond field, thereby restoring the PTP (the PTP of thestandard epoch) of a format specified in the IEEE1588.

(Structure of Clock Information)

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a syntax of clockinformation (a clock information descriptor) included in L1 signaling(L1_Detail_signaling).

In the L1 signaling depicted in FIG. 6, if a flag (L1B_clock_info_flag)indicative of the presence or absence of clock information is set up,clock information (a clock information descriptor) is arranged.

This clock information (the clock information descriptor) includes acompressed PTP including a 32-bit second field (PTP_sec) and a 17-bitcompressed nanosecond field (PTP_nanosec).

In this example, however, an example is presented in which a 17-bitcompressed nanosecond field (PTP_nanosec) is arranged; however, a 19-bitcompressed nanosecond field may be arranged instead of a 17-bitcompressed nanosecond field.

An 8-bit PTP_UTC_offset is the information of offset between PTC and UTC(Coordinated Universal Time). With PTP_UTC_offset, a time differencebetween PTP and UTC can be specified in units of seconds.

Use of this PTP_UTC_offset allows conversion of PTP into UTC. It shouldbe noted that FIG. 7 depicts an example of the conversion from PTP toUTC. That is, the computation of the equation (1) below allows theconversion of the second in PTP format into the second of NTP format.UTC_seconds=PTP_sec+PTP_UTC_offset  (1)

UTC_seconds: seconds in NTP format

PTP_sec: seconds in PTP format

PTP_UTC_offset: difference between PTP and UTC

The computation of the equation (2) below allows the conversion of thenanosecond of PTP format into the subsecond of NTP format.UTC_fraction=PTP nanosec  (2)

UTC_fraction: subseconds in NTP format

PTP_nanosec: nanoseconds in PTP format

(Method of Correcting PTP Clock Information)

FIG. 8 is a diagram describing a method of correcting the clockinformation by a PTP protocol.

As depicted in FIG. 8, “Master time” is a line of clock information tobe processed by the master apparatus 211 (the clock information masterblock 224 thereof) and “Slave time” is a line of clock information to beprocessed by the slave apparatus 212 (the clock information slave block232 thereof).

The clock information master block 224 of the master apparatus 211 sendsa Sync message to the clock information slave block 232 of the slaveapparatus 212 (S11). With this Sync message, the slave apparatus 212 isnotified of clock information from the master apparatus 211.

At this moment, the clock information master block 224 of the masterapparatus 211 records a send time t1 of the Sync message. On the otherhand, the clock information slave block 232 of the slave apparatus 212records a receive time t2 of the Sync message.

Further, the clock information master block 224 of the master apparatus211 sends a Follow_up message to the clock information slave block 232of the slave apparatus 212 (S12). With this Follow_up message, the slaveapparatus 212 is notified of the send time t1 of the Sync message fromthe master apparatus 211. Consequently, the send time t1 of the Syncmessage is recorded to the clock information slave block 232 of theslave apparatus 212 along with the receive time t2 of this Sync message.

The clock information slave block 232 of the slave apparatus 212 sends aDelay_Req message to the clock information master block 224 of themaster apparatus 211 (S13).

At this moment, the clock information slave block 232 of the slaveapparatus 212 records a send time t3 of the Delay_Req message. On theother hand, the clock information master block 224 of the masterapparatus 211 records a receive time t4 of the Delay_Req message.

Further, the clock information master block 224 of the master apparatus211 sends the Delay_Resp message to the clock information slave block232 of the slave apparatus 212 (S14). With this Delay_Resp message, theslave apparatus 212 is notified of the receive time t4 of the Delay_Reqmessage from the master apparatus 211. Consequently, the receive time t4of this Delay_Req message is recorded to the clock information slaveblock 232 of the slave apparatus 212 along with the send time t3 of theDelay_Req message.

Then, on the basis of the send time and receive time of the recordedmessage, the clock information slave block 232 of the slave apparatus212 computes a communication delay time between the master apparatus 211and the slave apparatus 212. However, this communication delay time(meanPathDelay) is computed by the equation (3) below.meanPathDelay={(t2−t1)+(t4−t3)}  (3)

t1: send time of Sync message

t2: receive time of Sync message

t3: send time of Delay_Req message

t4: receive time of Delay_Req message

As described above, correcting the clock information sent in a Syncmessage by use of a communication delay time (meanPathDelay) computed bythe equation (1) (adding a communication delay time to a clock timeindicated by clock information, for example) allows the clockinformation slave block 232 of the slave apparatus 212 to obtain acorrect clock time based on the clock information sent in a Syncmessage.

It should be noted that, in the example depicted in FIG. 8, acommunication delay time is measured by the clock information slaveblock 232 of the slave apparatus 212 on the assumption that acommunication delay time be variable; however, if a communication delaytime between the master apparatus 211 and the slave apparatus 212 isfixed, this communication delay time need not be measured, so that apredetermined fixed value (a communication delay time thereof) may beadded to a clock information (a clock time indicated thereby)transmitted in a Sync message.

(Example of Fields of General Header)

FIG. 9 depicts an example of the fields included in the General headerof a PTP message.

A PTP message includes a 34-byte General header and a 10-byte messagefield. The General header includes the fields depicted in FIG. 9.

A 4-bit transportSpecific specifies a value that is uniquely determineddepending upon hardware.

A 4-bit messageType specifies a value that is uniquely determined inaccordance with a message type. FIG. 10 depicts an example of messagetypes. That is, as depicted in FIG. 10, messageType specifies a valuecorresponding to a message type such as “Sync,” “Delay_Req,”“Follow_up,” or “Delay_Resp.”

Back to FIG. 9, a 4-bit versionPTP specifies a value ofportDS.versionNumber member of a dataset of a message generation node. A16-bit messageLength specifies the number of all bits of the PTPmessage.

An 8-bit domainNumber specifies a value of defaultDS.domainNumber memberof a dataset of an ordinary clock node or a boundary clock node thatgenerates a message.

A 16-bit flagField provides a flag that has a meaning for each messagein each of the bits in 2 bytes (16 bits). For example, in a flagField, 1bit of byte 1 may be made indicative of a Sync message or a Delay_Respmessage.

A 64-bit correctionField specifies a corrected value of a detention timeor a transmission delay, for example. An 80-bit sourcePortIdentityspecifies a value of portDS. PortIdentity member of a dataset of amessage generation node.

A 16-bit sequenceID specifies a value for managing a message set forexchanging time stamps. An 8-bit controlField is a field prepared forthe compatibility with the hardware for PTP version 1. An 8-bitlogMessageInterval specifies a value that is determined by message type.

(Example of Sync Message Format)

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a format of a Syncmessage.

In FIG. 11, a Sync message includes a 34-byte General header (FIG. 9)and a 10-byte Sync message field. Here, the messageType of the Generalheader specifies a value (value=“0”) in accordance with the message typethat is “Sync.” In the field of the Sync message, clock information(originTimestamp) is arranged.

(Example of Delay_Req Message Format)

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a format of a Delay_Reqmessage.

In FIG. 12, a Delay_Req message includes a 34-byte General header (FIG.9) and a 10-byte Delay_Req message field. Here, the messageType of theGeneral header specifies a value (value=“1”) in accordance with themessage type that is “Delay_Req.” In the field of a Delay_Req message,the clock information (originTimestamp) of a node of sending theDelay_Req message.

(Example of Follow_Up Message Format)

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a format of a Follow_upmessage.

In FIG. 13, a Follow_up message includes a 34-byte General header (FIG.9) and a 10-byte Follow-up message field. Here, the messageType of theGeneral header specifies a value (value=“8”) in accordance with themessage type that is “Follow_up.” In the field of the Follow-up message,clock information (preciseOriginTimestamp) indicative of a clock time ofsending a Sync message, namely, send time t1 of a Sync message, isarranged.

(Example of Delay_Resp Message Format)

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a format of a Delay_Respmessage.

In FIG. 14, a Delay_Resp message includes a 34-byte General header (FIG.9) and a 20-byte Delay_Resp message field. Here, the messageType of theGeneral header specifies a value (value=“9”) in accordance with themessage type that is “Delay_Resp.”

Further, in the field of a Delay_Resp message, 10-bit clock information(receiveTimestamp) and a 10-bit requestingPortIdentity are arranged. Theclock information (receiveTimestamp) is indicative of a clock time ofreceiving the Delay_Req message, namely, the receive time t4 of theDelay_Req message. In addition, to requestingPortIdentity, the value ofsourcePortIdentity of the Delay_Req message is copied.

<3. Flow of Processing Executed on Sending Side and Receiving Side>

The following describes a flow of processing to be executed by thesending system 10 on the sending side and the receiving system 20 on thereceiving side with reference to the flowcharts depicted in FIG. 15 andFIG. 16.

(Processing on Sending Side)

First, with reference to the flowchart depicted in FIG. 15, a flow ofthe processing on the sending side that is executed by the sendingsystem 10 on the sending side is described.

In step S111, the clock information processing block 113 processes clockinformation such as PTP and so on.

Here, as depicted in FIG. 4, for example, an 80-bit PTP including a48-bit second field and a 32-bit nanosecond field is compressed to a51-bit compressed PTP including a 32-bit compressed second field and a19-bit compressed nanosecond field.

In step S112, the component processing block 111 and the signalingprocessing block 112 execute signaling/component processing.

In this signaling/component processing, the video and audio componentsmaking up content and signaling such as LLS signaling and SLS signalingare processed. In addition, in the signaling/component processing, theclock information (a compressed PTP, for example) processed by the clockinformation processing block 113 is included in L1 signaling as a clockinformation descriptor.

In step S113, the packet processing block 114, the modulation processingblock 115, and the RF block 116 execute the sending processing of adigital broadcast signal.

In this sending processing of a digital broadcast signal, the processingof generating packets such as IP/UDP packets and so on by use of thedata of video and audio components and the data of signaling isexecuted. Further, in the sending processing of a digital broadcastsignal, the processing of generating a physical layer frame is executed.However, the preamble of the physical layer frame (FIG. 4) includes L1signaling that includes clock information (a compressed PTP, forexample).

Then, in the sending processing of a digital broadcast signal, a signalobtained by processing a physical layer frame is converted into an RFsignal, which is sent as a digital broadcast signal of IP transmissionscheme via the antenna 121.

A flow of the processing on the sending side is as described above.

(Processing on Receiving Side)

The following describes a flow of the processing on the receiving sideto be executed by the receiving system 20 on the receiving side withreference to the flowchart of FIG. 16. It should be noted that theprocessing operations in steps S211 through S214 depicted in FIG. 16 areexecuted by the master apparatus 211 and the processing operations insteps S231 through S234 are executed by the slave apparatus 212.

In step S211, the RF block 221, the demodulation processing block 222,and the packet processing block 223 of the master apparatus 211 executethe receiving processing of a digital broadcast signal. In thisreceiving processing of a digital broadcast signal, a digital broadcastsignal of IP transmission scheme is received via the antenna 241 and anRF signal thereof is frequency-converted into an IF signal.

Further, in the receiving processing of a digital broadcast signal, aphysical layer frame is processed so as to extract packets. It should benoted that the preamble of a physical layer frame (FIG. 5) includes L1signaling that includes clock information (a compressed PTP, forexample) from which the clock information is obtained. Further, in thereceiving processing of a digital broadcast signal, packets extractedfrom the physical layer frame are processed.

In step S212, the packet processing block 223 of the master apparatus211 executes signaling/component processing. In this signaling/componentprocessing, IP/UDP packets (IP packets) including the data of video andaudio component and signaling are processed, for example.

In step S213, the clock information master block 224 of the masterapparatus 211 processes clock information such as a compressed PTP andso on.

Here, for example, as depicted in FIG. 5, a 51-bit compressed PTPincluding a 32-bit compressed second field and a 19-bit compressednanosecond field is restored to the 80-bit PTP including the 48-bitsecond field and the 32-bit nanosecond field.

In step S214, the network I/F 225 sends the data such as the IP/UDPpackets and clock information (a PTP) to the slave apparatus 212 via thenetwork 213.

When the processing operations in steps S211 through S214 have beenexecuted by the master apparatus 211, then the slave apparatus 212accordingly executes the processing operations in step S231 throughS234. That is, in step S231, the network I/F 231 receives the data sentfrom the master apparatus 211 via the network 213.

In step S232, the clock information slave block 232 processes the clockinformation (PTP) included in the data sent from the master apparatus211 so as to execute presentation synchronization processing andprovides synchronization on the video and audio (the data of thecomponents thereof) by the decode processing executed in the decodeprocessing block 233, thereby providing proper presentation withoutfailing buffering.

In this presentation synchronization processing, the clock information(PTP, for example) of the master apparatus 211 (the clock informationmaster block 224 thereof) is matched with the clock information (PTP,for example) of the slave apparatus 212 (the clock information slaveblock 232 thereof) by use of the clock information (PTP, for example)included in a digital broadcast signal sent from the sending system 10.Further, as described above with reference to FIG. 8 through FIG. 14,the clock information master block 224 of the master apparatus 211 andthe clock information slave block 232 of the slave apparatus 212exchange messages so as to correct the clock information of PTP inaccordance with transmission delay (communication delay time).

That is, in the receiving system 20, the clock information to betransmitted by broadcasting from the sending system 10 is synchronizedwith a physical layer frame for correct transmission; however, in orderto correctly execute presentation synchronization processing in theslave apparatus 212, this clock information is transmitted from themaster apparatus 211 to the slave apparatus 212 by use of a protocol fortransmitting clock information such as PTP or the like. Consequently,also in the case where content is redelivered from the master apparatus211 to the slave apparatus 212 via the network 213, for example, thecorrect clock synchronization can be executed by use of the clockinformation in the slave apparatus 212.

It should be noted that, although it is a general practice to referencea NTP (Network Time Protocol) server arranged on the Internet so as toobtain correct clock information, a digital broadcast signal transmittedvia the transmission path 30 involves an error between the clockinformation of content and the clock information from the NTP server onthe Internet due to a transmission delay (Propagation Delay) from thesending system 10 (the sending station). Therefore, the presenttechnology avoids this problem by using not the clock information fromthe NTP server but the clock information included in the physical layerframe transmitted from the sending system 10.

In step S233, the decode processing block 233 executes decode processingon the data of video and audio components included in the data sent fromthe master apparatus 211 in accordance with the presentationsynchronization processing by the clock information slave block 232.

In step S234, the output block 234 displays a video image correspondingto the data of the video component decoded by the decode processingblock 233 onto a display block (not depicted). In addition, the outputblock 234 outputs the audio corresponding to the data of the audiocomponent decoded by the decode processing block 233 to a speaker (notdepicted).

Consequently, the slave apparatus 212 receives the content sent from thesending system 10 via the transmission path 30 that is delivered(redelivered) from the master apparatus 211 via the network 213 andreproduces the received content.

The flow of the processing on the receiving side is executed asdescribed above.

<4. Variations>

(Configuration Examples of Receiving System on Receiving Side)

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating examples of the configurations ofmaster apparatuses 211 and slave apparatuses 212 in the receiving system20. It should be noted that, in FIG. 17, FIG. 17A through FIG. 17Edepict the configurational examples of a CATV redelivery system 20A, anInternet delivery system 20B, a home network system 20C, a receivingapparatus 20D, and an in-vehicle system 20E, respectively, as examplesof the receiving system 20.

(A) CATV Redelivery System

FIG. 17A depicts an exemplary configuration of the CATV redeliverysystem 20A. In this CATV redelivery system 20A, a CATV apparatus 211A asthe master apparatus 211 and a television receiver 212A as the slaveapparatus 212 execute data transmission with each other via a CATVnetwork 213A.

Here, the CATV apparatus 211A is a redelivery apparatus forredelivering, using cable television, the content broadcast byterrestrial broadcasting and so on by the sending system 10. The CATVapparatus 211A is provided by a cable television business, for example.On the other hand, the television receiver 212A is a television receivercorresponding to the cable television installed in each home. Thetelevision receiver 212A can receive content redelivered from the CATVapparatus 211A via the CATV network 213A and reproduce the receivedcontent.

Further, in the CATV redelivery system 20A, the clock information (PTP,for example) of the CATV apparatus 211A (the clock information masterblock 224 thereof) is matched with the clock information (PTP, forexample) of the television receiver 212A (the clock information slaveblock 232 thereof) by use of the clock information (PTP, for example)included in the digital broadcast signal from the sending system 10.Consequently, in the television receiver 212A, presentationsynchronization can be realized at the time of reproducing content,thereby executing proper presentation without failing buffering byexecuting synchronization on video and audio, for example.

(B) Internet Delivery System

FIG. 17B depicts an exemplary configuration of the Internet deliverysystem 20B. In this Internet delivery system 20B, a delivery server 211Bas the master apparatus 211 and an information device 212B as the slaveapparatus 212 execute data transmission with each other via the Internet213B.

Here, the delivery server 211B is a server apparatus for delivering thecontent broadcast by terrestrial broadcasting and so on by the sendingsystem 10 via the Internet 213B. The delivery server 211B is provided bya business of OTT (Over The Top) that executes moving image deliveryservices, for example. On the other hand, the information device 212B isa device (a client apparatus) having communication functions of mobilephones, smartphones, tablet terminal apparatuses, personal computers,and television receivers, for example. The information device 212B canreceive content delivered from the delivery server 211B via the Internet213B so as to reproduce the received content.

In addition, in the Internet delivery system 20B, the clock information(PTP, for example) of the delivery server 211B (the clock informationmaster block 224 thereof) is matched with the clock information (PTP,for example) of the information device 212B (the clock information slaveblock 232 thereof) by use of the clock information (PTP, for example)included in a digital broadcast signal from the sending system 10.Consequently, in the information device 212B, presentationsynchronization can be realized at the time of reproducing content,thereby properly executing presentation without failing buffering byproviding synchronization on video and audio, for example.

(C) Home Network System

FIG. 17C depicts an exemplary configuration of the home network system20C. In this home network system 20C, a home server 211C as the masterapparatus 211 and an information device 212C as the slave apparatus 212execute data transmission with each other via the home network 213C suchas wireless LAN (Local Area Network).

Here, the home server 211C is a server apparatus for delivering thecontent broadcast in terrestrial broadcasting or the like by the sendingsystem 10 via the home network 213C. The home server 211C has a functionof receiving digital broadcasting and is installed in each home and soon. On the other hand, the information device 212C is a device (a clientapparatus) having communication functions of mobile phones, smartphones,tablet terminal apparatuses, personal computers, and televisionreceivers, for example, and used in homes. The information device 212Ccan receive content delivered from the home server 211C via the homenetwork 213C so as to reproduce the received content.

Further, in the home network system 20C, the clock information (PTP, forexample) of the home server 211C (the clock information master block 224thereof) is matched with the clock information (PTP, for example) of theinformation device 212C (the clock information slave block 232 thereof)by use of the clock information (PTP, for example) included in a digitalbroadcast signal from the sending system 10. Consequently, in theinformation device 212C, presentation synchronization can be realized atthe time of reproducing content, thereby executing proper presentationwithout failing buffering by providing synchronization on video andaudio, for example.

It should be noted that, in the home network system 20C depicted in FIG.17C, a television receiver can be arranged as the master apparatus 211instead of the home server 211C so as to use, as a so-called seconddisplay, a smartphone or a tablet terminal apparatus as the informationdevice 212C.

(D) In the Same Device

FIG. 17D depicts an exemplary configuration of the receiving apparatus20D. In this receiving apparatus 20D, an in-receiver master device 211Das the master apparatus 211 and an in-receiver slave device 212D as theslave apparatus 212 execute data transmission with each other via ageneral-purpose transmission interface 213D such as USB3.0 (UniversalSerial Bus 3.0) or PCIe (PCI Express), for example.

Here, the in-receiver master device 211D is a device for transmittingcontent broadcast in terrestrial broadcasting or the like to thein-receiver slave device 212D by the sending system 10 via thetransmission interface 213D. The in-receiver master device 211D includesa processing block 251 and an I/F block 252. On the other hand, thein-receiver slave device 212D is a device for processing the contenttransmitted from the in-receiver master device 211D via the transmissioninterface 213D. The in-receiver slave device 212D includes an I/F block261 and a processing block 262.

Further, in the receiving apparatus 20D, the clock information (PTP, forexample) of the in-receiver master device 211D (the clock informationmaster block 224 thereof) is matched with the clock information (PTP,for example) of the in-receiver slave device 212D (the clock informationslave block 232 thereof) by use of the clock information (PTP, forexample) included in a digital broadcast signal from the sending system10. Consequently, in the in-receiver slave device 212D, presentationsynchronization can be realized at the time of processing content,thereby properly executing presentation without failing buffering byproviding synchronization on video and audio, for example.

(E) In-Vehicle System

FIG. 17E depicts an exemplary configuration of the in-vehicle system 20Ethat is installed on a vehicle. In this in-vehicle system 20E, anin-vehicle master device 211E as the master apparatus 211 and anin-vehicle slave device 212E as the slave apparatus 212 execute datatransmission with each other via an in-car network 213E.

Here, the in-vehicle master device 211E is a device for transmitting, bythe sending system 10, the content broadcast in a terrestrialbroadcasting or the like to the in-vehicle slave device 212E via thein-car network 213E. On the other hand, the in-vehicle slave device 212Eis a device for processing the content transmitted from the in-vehiclemaster device 211E via the in-car network 213E.

Further, in the in-vehicle system 20E, the clock information (PTP, forexample) of the in-vehicle master device 211E (the clock informationmaster block 224 thereof) is matched with the clock information (PTP,for example) of the in-vehicle slave device 212E (the clock informationslave block 232 thereof) by use of the clock information (PTP, forexample) included in a digital broadcast signal from the sending system10. Consequently, in the in-vehicle slave device 212E, presentationsynchronization can be realized at the time of processing content,thereby properly providing presentation without failing buffering byproviding synchronization on video and audio, for example.

(Other Clock Information Examples)

In the description done above, the clock information is described byfocusing the information of a clock time specified in PTP and handlingthe information of a clock time specified in NTP as optional; however,it is also practicable to employ the information of a clock timespecified in 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project), theinformation of a clock time specified in GPS (Global PositioningSystem), or the information of a clock time specified in other uniquelydetermined formats.

(Digital Broadcasting Schemes)

In the description done above, the digital broadcasting standard is ATSC(especially, ATSC3.0) employed in the United States and other countries;however, it is also practicable for the present technology to be appliedto ISDB (Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting) employed by Japan orDVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) employed by European countries. Inaddition, for digital broadcasting, the present technology is applicableto satellite broadcasting such as BS (Broadcasting Satellite) and CS(Communication Satellite) and wired broadcasting such as cabletelevision (CATV) in addition to terrestrial broadcasting.

Further, the present technology is also applicable to a predeterminedstandard (a standard other than digital broadcasting standards)specified by assuming the use, as the transmission path 20 (FIG. 1), oftransmission paths other than broadcasting networks, namely,communication lines (communication networks) such as the Internet andtelephone networks. In this application, a communication line such asthe Internet or a telephone network can be used for the transmissionpath 30 (FIG. 1) and the sending system 10 may be a server apparatusinstalled on the Internet. Then, providing the receiving system 20 (themaster apparatus 211 thereof) with communication functions allows thesending system 10 to execute processing in response to requests from thereceiving system 20 (the master apparatus 211 thereof). Further, thecontent to be sent from the sending system 10 may include all types ofcontent such as electronic books and advertisements, for example, inaddition to moving images and music.

<5. Configuration of Computer>

A sequence of processing operations described above is executable byhardware as well as software. In executing the sequence of processingoperations by software, the programs making up this software areinstalled on a computer. FIG. 18 depicts an example of a configurationof the hardware of a computer that executes the above-mentioned sequenceof processing operations by programs.

In a computer 900, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 901, a ROM (Read OnlyMemory) 902, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 903 are interconnected via abus 904. The bus 904 is further connected with an input/output interface905. The input/output interface 905 is connected with an input block906, an output block 907, a recording block 908, a communication block909, and a drive 910.

The input block 906 has a keyboard, mouse, microphone, and so on. Theoutput block 907 has a display, speaker, and so on. The recording block908 has a hard disc drive, a nonvolatile memory, and so on. Thecommunication block 909 has a network interface and so on. The drive 910drives a removable medium 911 such as a magnetic disc, an optical disc,a magneto-optical disc, or a semiconductor memory.

In the computer 900 configured as described above, the CPU 901 loadsprograms recorded to the ROM 902 or the recording block 908 into the RAM903 via the input/output interface 905 and the bus 904, therebyexecuting the sequence of processing operations described above.

Programs to be executed by the computer 900 (the CPU 901) can beprovided as recorded to the removable medium 911 such as a packagemedium, for example. In addition, programs can also be provided throughwired or wireless transmission media such as a local area network, theInternet, or digital satellite broadcasting.

In the computer 900, programs can be installed into the recording block908 via the input/output interface 905 by mounting the removable medium911 on the drive 910. It is also practicable to receive programs by thecommunication block 909 via a wired or wireless transmission medium andinstall the received programs into the recording block 908. In othercases, programs can be installed in advance in the ROM 902 or therecording block 908.

It should be noted that, in the present description, the processing tobe executed by a computer as instructed by programs need not always beexecuted in a time sequence described as a flowchart. That is, theprocessing to be executed by a computer in accordance with programsincludes parallel processing or discrete processing (for example,parallel processing or processing based on objects). Also, programs maybe processed by one unit of a computer (a processor) or processed by twoor more computers in a distributed manner.

It should be noted that the embodiments of the present technology arenot restricted to those described above and therefore may be changed ina variety of manners within the scope of the gist of the presenttechnology.

The present technology can also take the following configuration.

(1)

A data processing apparatus including:

a receiving block configured to receive a digital broadcast signal;

a processing block configured to process content included in the digitalbroadcast signal and clock information included therein for use inpresentation synchronization on the content; and

a sending block configured to send the clock information along with thecontent to another data processing apparatus that presents the contentvia a transmission path.

(2)

The data processing apparatus according to (1) above, in which

a clock information descriptor including the clock information isincluded in a preamble of a physical layer frame included in the digitalbroadcast signal.

(3)

The data processing apparatus according to (2) above, in which

the clock information descriptor includes compressed clock informationobtained by compressing the clock information.

(4)

The data processing apparatus according to (2) or (3) above, in which

the clock information is one of information of a clock time specified byPTP (Precision Time Protocol) and information of a clock time specifiedby NTP (Network Time Protocol).

(5)

The data processing apparatus according to (4) above, in which

the clock information is information of a clock time specified by thePTP, and

the processing block transfers a message with another processing blockthat processes the clock information in the another data processingapparatus, thereby correcting the clock information processed by theanother processing block in accordance with a transmission delay.

(6)

The data processing apparatus according to any one of (1) through (5)above, in which

the transmission path is a broadcasting transmission path,

the data processing apparatus is a redelivery apparatus configured toredeliver the content, and

the another data processing apparatus is a reproducing apparatusconfigured to reproduce the content redelivered from the redeliveryapparatus via broadcasting.

(7)

The data processing apparatus according to any one of (1) through (5)above, in which

the transmission path is a communication transmission path,

the data processing apparatus is a server apparatus configured todeliver the content, and

the another data processing apparatus is a client apparatus configuredto reproduce the content delivered from the server apparatus viacommunication.

(8)

The data processing apparatus according to any one of (1) through (5)above, in which

the data processing apparatus and the another data processing apparatusare arranged in a same device and are interconnected via a predeterminedinterface.

(9)

A data processing method for a data processing apparatus, including thesteps of:

receiving a digital broadcast signal;

processing content included in the digital broadcast signal and clockinformation included therein for use in presentation synchronization onthe content; and

sending the clock information along with the content to another dataprocessing apparatus that presents the content via a transmission path;

the steps being all executed by the data processing apparatus.

(10)

A data processing apparatus including:

a receiving block configured to receive content sent from another dataprocessing apparatus capable of receiving a digital broadcast signal,the content being included in the digital broadcast signal, and clockinformation included therein for use in presentation synchronization onthe content via a transmission path; and

a processing block configured to process presentation synchronization onthe content on the basis of the clock information.

(11)

The data processing apparatus according to (10) above, in which

a clock information descriptor including the clock information isincluded in a preamble of a physical layer frame included in the digitalbroadcast signal.

(12)

The data processing apparatus according to (11) above, in which

the clock information descriptor includes compressed clock informationobtained by compressing the clock information.

(13)

The data processing apparatus according to (11) or (12) above, in which

the clock information is one of information of a clock time specified byPTP and information of a clock time specified by NTP.

(14)

The data processing apparatus according to (13) above, in which

the clock information is information of a clock time specified by thePTP, and

the processing block transfers a message with another processing blockthat processes the clock information in the another data processingapparatus, thereby causing the clock information to be corrected inaccordance with a transmission delay.

(15)

The data processing apparatus according to any one of (10) through (14)above, in which

the transmission path is a broadcasting transmission path,

the another data processing apparatus is a redelivery apparatusconfigured to redeliver the content, and

the data processing apparatus is a reproducing apparatus configured toreproduce the content redelivered from the redelivery apparatus viabroadcasting.

(16)

The data processing apparatus according to any one of (10) through (14)above, in which

the transmission path is a communication transmission path,

the another data processing apparatus is a server apparatus configuredto deliver the content, and

the data processing apparatus is a client apparatus configured toreproduce the content delivered from the server apparatus viacommunication.

(17)

The data processing apparatus according to any one of (10) through (14)above, in which

the data processing apparatus and the another data processing apparatusare arranged in a same device and are interconnected via a predeterminedinterface.

(18)

A data processing method for a data processing apparatus, including thesteps of:

receiving content sent from another data processing apparatus capable ofreceiving a digital broadcast signal, the content being included in thedigital broadcast signal, and clock information included therein for usein presentation synchronization on the content via a transmission path;and

processing presentation synchronization on the content on the basis ofthe clock information;

the steps being executed by the data processing apparatus.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1 Transmission system, 10 Sending system, 20 Receiving system, 30Transmission path, 111 Component processing block, 112 Signalingprocessing block, 113 Clock information processing block, 114 Packetprocessing block, 115 Modulation processing block, 116 RF block, 211Master apparatus, 212 Slave apparatus, 213 Network, 221 RF block, 222Demodulation processing block, 223 Packet processing block, 224 Clockinformation master block, 225 Network I/F, 231 Network I/F, 232 Clockinformation slave block, 233 Decode processing block, 234 Output block,900 Computer, 901 CPU

The invention claimed is:
 1. A data processing apparatus comprising:circuitry configured to: receive a digital broadcast signal; process (i)content included in the digital broadcast signal and (ii) timeinformation included therein for use in presentation synchronization onthe content; and send the time information and the content to anotherdata processing apparatus that presents the content via a transmissionpath, wherein the time information is included in L1 signaling in aphysical layer frame.
 2. The data processing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein a time information descriptor including the timeinformation is included in a preamble of the physical layer frameincluded in the digital broadcast signal.
 3. The data processingapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the time information descriptorincludes compressed time information obtained by compressing the timeinformation.
 4. The data processing apparatus according to claim 2,wherein the time information is one of information of a clock timespecified by a Precision Time Protocol (PTP) and information of a clocktime specified by a Network Time Protocol (NTP).
 5. The data processingapparatus according to claim 4, wherein the time information isinformation of a clock time specified by the PTP, and the circuitry isfurther configured to transfer a message with other circuitry thatprocesses the time information in the another data processing apparatus,thereby correcting the time information processed by the other circuitryin accordance with a transmission delay.
 6. The data processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission path is abroadcasting transmission path, the data processing apparatus is aredelivery apparatus configured to redeliver the content, and theanother data processing apparatus is a reproducing apparatus configuredto reproduce the content redelivered from the redelivery apparatus viabroadcasting.
 7. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the transmission path is a communication transmission path, thedata processing apparatus is a server apparatus configured to deliverthe content, and the another data processing apparatus is a clientapparatus configured to reproduce the content delivered from the serverapparatus via communication.
 8. The data processing apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the data processing apparatus and the another dataprocessing apparatus are arranged in a same device and areinterconnected via a predetermined interface.
 9. A data processingmethod for a data processing apparatus, comprising the steps of: thedata processing apparatus receiving a digital broadcast signal; the dataprocessing apparatus processing (i) content included in the digitalbroadcast signal and (ii) time information included therein for use inpresentation synchronization on the content; and the data processingapparatus sending the time information and the content to another dataprocessing apparatus that presents the content via a transmission path,wherein the time information is included in L1 signaling in a physicallayer frame.
 10. A data processing apparatus comprising: circuitryconfigured to: receive content sent from another data processingapparatus capable of receiving a digital broadcast signal, the contentbeing included in the digital broadcast signal, and time informationincluded therein for use in presentation synchronization on the contentvia a transmission path; and process presentation synchronization on thecontent on the basis of the time information, wherein the timeinformation is included in L1 signaling in a physical layer frame. 11.The data processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a timeinformation descriptor including the time information is included in apreamble of the physical layer frame included in the digital broadcastsignal.
 12. The data processing apparatus according to claim 11, whereinthe time information descriptor includes compressed time informationobtained by compressing the time information.
 13. The data processingapparatus according to claim 11, wherein the time information is one ofinformation of a clock time specified by a Precision Time Protocol (PTP)and information of a clock time specified by a Network Time Protocol(NTP).
 14. The data processing apparatus according to claim 13, whereinthe time information is information of a clock time specified by thePTP, and the circuitry is configured to transfer a message with othercircuitry that processes the time information in the another dataprocessing apparatus, thereby causing the time information to becorrected in accordance with a transmission delay.
 15. The dataprocessing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the transmissionpath is a broadcasting transmission path, the another data processingapparatus is a redelivery apparatus configured to redeliver the content,and the data processing apparatus is a reproducing apparatus configuredto reproduce the content redelivered from the redelivery apparatus viabroadcasting.
 16. The data processing apparatus according to claim 10,wherein the transmission path is a communication transmission path, theanother data processing apparatus is a server apparatus configured todeliver the content, and the data processing apparatus is a clientapparatus configured to reproduce the content delivered from the serverapparatus via communication.
 17. The data processing apparatus accordingto claim 10, wherein the data processing apparatus and the another dataprocessing apparatus are arranged in a same device and areinterconnected via a predetermined interface.
 18. A receiving apparatuscomprising: circuitry configured to: receive a digital broadcast signal;and process (i) content included in the digital broadcast signal and(ii) time information included therein for use in presentationsynchronization on the content, wherein a first receiver device sendsthe time information and the content to a second receiver device thatpresents the content via a transmission path, wherein the timeinformation is included in L1 signaling in a physical layer frame. 19.The receiving apparatus of claim 18, wherein the time information in thedigital broadcast signal is of a first format.
 20. The receivingapparatus of claim 19, wherein the first receiving device comprises ademodulator block from which the time information is processed toinclude a delay response factored therein as the first receiving devicerelays the processed time information to the second receiver device. 21.The receiving apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first receiving devicecomprises a demodulator block and a processor block through which thetime information is processed to include a delay response factoredtherein as the first receiving device relays the processed timeinformation to the second receiver device.
 22. The receiving apparatusof claim 19, wherein the first format comprises clock information in atleast a 0:00 second, month, day, and year time presentation.
 23. Thereceiving apparatus of claim 19, wherein the processed time informationis in the first format but represent clock information with a time delayadded thereto.
 24. The receiving apparatus of claim 23, wherein thefirst format comprises clock information in at least a 0:00 second,month, day, and year time presentation format.
 25. The receivingapparatus of claim 19, wherein the first format is precision timeprotocol.
 26. The receiving apparatus of claim 25, wherein the firstreceiving device comprises a demodulator block from which the timeinformation is processed to include a delay response factored therein asthe first receiving device relays the processed time information to thesecond receiver device, and wherein clock information is in at least a0:000000000 second, month, day, and year time presentation format. 27.The receiving apparatus of claim 25, wherein the first receiving devicecomprises a demodulator block and a processor block through which thetime information is processed to include a delay response factoredtherein as the first receiving device relays the processed timeinformation to the second receiver device, and wherein clock informationis in at least a 0:000000000 second, month, day, and year timepresentation format.